Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-07-29

truce, rode up and inquired for the officer
in command, and through him for the
Colonel of the regiment. Colonel ]. D.
Webb was on the line, couple of miles to
the rear, and Private Nunnelee was sent to
inform him that the Federal officer was de-
sirous of passing the noted Clement L.
Eallandigham within the Confederate lines,
as per order of the Secretary IF War.
This move had been anticipated, as VAL
landighams sentence mad been promu-
gated, but the Confederate Government
had no desire to accept him. Had he come
as recruit for the ranks he would have
been welcome, but as a banished politician
he was guest whom no one cared to en-
terrain. Colonel Webb took his time about
riding to the front, and as he got there
Nunnelee was sent down the highway to in
yestigatc second white flag. This was
and occupied by Federal lieutenant and
Vallandigham. The officer was driving and
the banished politician was sitting very
stiff and erect. But few words passed as
the officer drew rein. He said to Nunelee:
"Here is Vallandigham, sentenced to
Punishment"
And to the great politician he said:
Come; have no time to spare"
II protest against this outrage-solemnly
protest." answered Vailandigham.
Eyes, but hurry up. I'll take your trunk
of. Jump down, now; good-day."
And the officer sprang into the vehicle,
turned the horse around, and went off at a
fast trot, leaving Vallandigham and the
Confederate soldier together on the high
way. Previous to the war Mr.. Nunnelee
was editor of paper at Eutaw, and VAL
landigham was one of its readers. AS they
stood there the private soldier introduced
himself, and the politician gave him
hearty shake of the hand and asked:
"What on earth are you doing here?"
In the ranks"
sand are such men as you fighting in the
ranks of the Confederate army?"
thousands of us.
"Then that settles 1.-THE North can
never conquer you"
After some further talk the soldier car
ried the politicians trunk into a deserted
negro cabin quarter Of a mile away and
then went for his Colonel. Webb came
slowly up, and as he dismounted OF the
hut the banished Northerner said:
Colonel Webb, am Clement L. VAL
landigham, a citizen of Ohio and of the
United States, imprisoned, vilifed and
banished from my country for my love of
liberty and free speech.
The Colonel stittly answered.:
mir. Vallandigham, as citizen of Ohio
and the United States, you are my enemy.
AS one banished for his love of liberty, for
which the South is fighting to-day, bid
you welcome to the Southern Confederacy."
They then entered into general con-
versation lasting about half an hour, at
the end of which time Private Nun
melee secured conveyance, and
oil Ia hor
received into the Confederate lines.
The incident made quite stir at the picket
post, and conld the men have had their
way they would Lave headed the man for
the Federal lines and obliged him to re-
turn, as they counted far more on muskets
than speeches to win their cause.
Mr.. Nunnelee is now and has for many
years past been the editor of the Tusca-
loosa Gazette, and the incidents of this
narrative, never before published, were
taken from his own lips.